John Waters wrote and directed this $6.5 million satire on the Manhattan art world, a rags-to-riches comedy about 18-year-old amateur photographer Pecker (so named because he pecks at his food). Pecker (Edward Furlong) is a blue-collar kid… MoreJohn Waters wrote and directed this $6.5 million satire on the Manhattan art world, a rags-to-riches comedy about 18-year-old amateur photographer Pecker (so named because he pecks at his food). Pecker (Edward Furlong) is a blue-collar kid who works in a Baltimore sandwich shop and takes snapshots of family, friends, and customers. His mom, Joyce (Mary Kay Place) runs a thrift shop where she offers fashion advice to the homeless, while sis Tina (Martha Plimpton) recruits go-go boys to dance at the local Fudge Palace. Pecker's younger sister, Little Chrissy (Lauren Hulsey), has a sugar addiction, and his grandmother, Memama (Jean Schertler), the "pit beef" queen of Baltimore, conducts prayer meetings with her talking statue of Mary. After hip Manhattan art dealer Rorey Wheeler (Lili Taylor) becomes fascinated with Pecker's photos, a big exhibition is in the offing, followed by overnight fame as the young man becomes the new darling of the New York art scene. Soon Pecker discovers that fame has its price. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

It's hard to describe director John Waters and his idiosyncratic style but if I had to try, I'd compare him to David Lynch on amphetamine's.… MoreIt's hard to describe director John Waters and his idiosyncratic style but if I had to try, I'd compare him to David Lynch on amphetamine's. He's done some seriously wacky comedies over the years. Some of which been referred to as "deliberate exercises in ultra-bad taste". He had been around since the 1960's before making a name for himself with "Hairspray" in 1988. An early Johnny Depp film - "Cry Baby" followed and then he directed Kathleen Turner in the hilarious "Serial Mom". Those who have heard of him will know what to expect. Those who haven't should be warned; Waters certainly doesn't water down his humour.
A young man named "Pecker" (Edward Furlong) who works at a Baltimore sandwich shop also has a real talent for taking photographs. He's forever snapping things that most people wouldn't even think of. When a New York art dealer (Lili Taylor) sees his work, he becomes an overnight sensation in the art world.
As mentioned, Waters' films are somewhat like the lighter side to the nightmares of Lynch. He has the same off-beat and occasional surreal approach but rather than delve into the darker recesses of the subconscious, he plays it all for laughs. His more recent efforts have not been entirely successful and his brand of uncouth and crass humour will certainly not appeal to everyone but Pecker is one of his most accomplished and audience friendly pieces. Where he excels is in his array of very colourful characters - and this film has plenty of them.
Pecker's family are a real bunch dysfunctional delights; his mother Joyce (Mary Kay Place) likes to accessorise the fashion of homeless people; his father Jimmy (Mark Joy) is an advocate for the public showing of pubic hair being made illegal; his grandmother 'Memama' (Jean Schertler) is a ventriloquist with a statue of the virgin Mary; his younger sister Little Chrissy (Lauren Hulsey) has an addictive personality, that begins with sugar before moving onto Ritalin and snorting vegetables and his older sister Tina (Martha Plimpton) runs a gay bar where "teabagging" (the slapping of testicles on a person's forehead) is a custom that's expected within the establishment. Pecker himself is just a naive, but likeable, photographer who captures all this mayhem on his camera and this is only his family. There are many others, that include his kleptomaniac friend Matt (Brendan Sexton III) and characters that dry hump washing machines on spin cycles. By now, you'll gather that Waters' bad taste is still alive and well but what makes it all the more hysterical is that the actors all play it straight, making the zany situations that befall them all the more entertaining. Waters, most certainly, depicts this Baltimore slice-of-life with real zest and zaniness and, at times, his sheer audacity and outrageousness is gut-wrenchingly funny but while all this is going on, he still manages to take a pop at the pretentious, snooty-nosed, yuppies of the New York art scene.
As a self confessed Waters fan, I greatly enjoyed this lighthearted, quirky gem. It will not be a comedy that will appeal to everyone but if you enjoy your humour a little more on the edgy and surreal side, then this should do nicely.

Wahida K

He never realized how far 35 millimeters would take him.

Michael Gildea

Pretty gross but very funny.

Marcus Woolcott

Starts as an interesting satire on celebrity, only to too quickly run out of steam and coast by on "teabagging" jokes.

Lucas Martins

John Waters could made Pecker a better film that is. But still been a fun entertaining.

Lafe Fredbjornson

Edward Furlong takes interesting photos all over town, but then he is made famous, and it ruins his charming life. A funny movie with the message about the… MoreEdward Furlong takes interesting photos all over town, but then he is made famous, and it ruins his charming life. A funny movie with the message about the dangers of fame. I LOVED the little sugar-addicted little sister! She made the movie. Very funny John Waters movie.

John Ballantine

Funny in a John Waters sort of way. I think the problem is Edward Furlong. I just didn't get into his depiction and I don't think he was strong enough… MoreFunny in a John Waters sort of way. I think the problem is Edward Furlong. I just didn't get into his depiction and I don't think he was strong enough to carry the script.

Donna Dawson

Pecker is hilarious! I love his movies and dark humor. :)

Thomas Johnston

A John Waters tongue in cheek story of finding happiness at home. Campy and fun.

Leigh Ryan

I liked it.

Sylvester Kuo

Pecker is hilarious, perfectly displayed what it is like growing up in Baltimore. Although it may not have been Waters' greatest films, but it still has… MorePecker is hilarious, perfectly displayed what it is like growing up in Baltimore. Although it may not have been Waters' greatest films, but it still has it's quirky charms. I couldn't possibly compare it to other films, but it's a big step for Waters to move mainstream. I love all the actors, Edward Furlong is perfect to play the titular role. I was so emotionally drawn to Pecker, he's the younger version of Waters himself, how fascinating.